Tower or observatory



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-sheet 1.

LE GRAND. KNIFFEN. TOWER 0R OBSERVATORY.

No. 467,639. Patented Jan. 26, 1892.

2 NVM Ew F FM IV NR Kw DWV N Am RR Gm B0 LT No. 467,639. Patented Jan. 26, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LE GRAND KNIFFEN, OF CIIICAGO,ILLINOIS.

TOWER OR OBSERVATORY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 467,639, dated January 26, 1892.

Application led August 1, 1891. Serial No. 401,353. (No model.)

` iication.

My invention relates to the construction of towers, Observatories, and like structures, and has for its object to enable the erection of such structures with great rapidity, at small cost, and in such manner that they shall possess the maximum strength and be capable of being increased or diminished in size or height or easily taken down and the materials thereof made available for use again with slight if any depreciation in value.

To these ends I construct my improved tower or observatory in skeleton frame from railroad-rails, which form the uprights of the frame, and couple these rails together end to end by means of fish-bar plates, which serve also as girders, and I employ the usual fishbar bolts for securing the fish-bar plates and rails together. The rails or uprights are coupled together so as to break joints, and the entire structure preferably tapers from bottom to top. The body of the tower may be of any form in cross-section; but when it is to attain great height I prefer to construct it with a central skeleton frame or core and with one or more outside or surrounding skeleton frames, the uprights of each frame being connected together and the concentric frames being also interconnected by girders or struts and braces. This form of construction permits the structure to be readily increased or diminished in size by adding or taking away one or more outer shells or frames.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l shows a tower or observatory in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a cross-section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in elevation, and Figs. t and 5 are enlarged details in perspective.

The tower, which is shown in Fig. l, is built in the proper proportion for a height of one thousand feet, and is shown with a broad base, which may be constructed from railroad iron or from masonry, if preferred. The uprights of the main body of the tower are rail road rails A, which may be new or old, but are preferably steel rails. These are joined together end to end, as clearly shown in the detail View, Fig. 3,and are secured by means of` the fish-bar plates B, which plates are preferably specially constructed in U form, the legs B furnishing the sh-bar and the central portion C providinga girder, which serves the double purpose of bracing the uprights laterally and also of furnishing supports for the cross-ties D, as shown in the detail of Fig. 5.

By reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the tower herein illustrated is composed of three skeleton frames concentrically arranged, each composed, when separately considered, of the rails A, joined end to end, and fish-plates, whereby the ends of said rails are connected, and whereby adjoining rails are also tied or lashed together, and that the several frames are interconnected by means of the cross-ties D. F represents diagonal struts, and E steel-wirecable guys, for steadying the structure against vibration duc to the elements. It will also be observed that all of the rails are placed with their heads outwardly, and this is the preferred construction, as the rounded heads of the rails present a better appearance from the exterior of the tower, and because, also, it is desirable, if not essential, that all the rails should face in the same way, so that the iish plates may be joined thereto. The tower as viewed in side elevation tapers from its base to its apex with two landings L, the first being at about the mid-height of the tower and the other some distance below its top. These landings, as shown, are supported by the rails of the frame, which rails have the appearance of being bent or curved below the rst landing, but this is apparently only due to the scale on which the drawings are made. In the actual construction it will be entirelyfeasible to construct these projecting landings from straight rails. The space inclosed by the inner frame may be utilized for stairways or as an elevator-shaft, and suitable apartments may be fitted up at diifereut elevations within the tower.

Structures of this kind may be used to afford amusement and also for scientific pura poses; but the cost of erection has heretofore made their use quite limited, and particularly for purposes of amusement.

An advantage of my construction is that the chief materials which I use are readily obtainable in the market, possess great strength,

IOO

By constructing the tower from a number of concentric shells or frames, as described, its strength is greatly increased, and in this way it may also be readily increased or diminished in size and in diameter or height.

VVhile my invention is peculiarly adapt/ed to high structures, it may also be utilized for other purposes than those hereinbefor'e specifically mentioned. For example, 'it would be particularly well adapted for use in the construction' of windmill-towers where second-hand materialssuch as old railroadrails and fish-bar plates-could' be obtained atl small cost, while such materials would be almost as well suited for the purpose indi-i cated as new materials. The same considerations would also make the invention well adapted to the construction of derrick-frames, towers for well boring and drilling machinery, for electric-light towers, and other structures in which it is desired to attain the maximum strength with the least weight of materials and presenting small wind-surface.

I claiml. A tower or similar structure constructed from railroad-rails joined end to end by fish` bar plates and braced laterally, substantially as described.

2. A tower or similar structure composed of railroad-rails secured end to end by fish-bar plates, said plates being of U form and having the legs Ythereof joined vto abutting rails and their middles adapted to provide'trans- Verse braces for adjoining rails, substantially as described.v

S. A tower or similar structure composed of a plurality ot' skeleton frames, each consisting of railroad-rails secured end to end by suitable connecting-plates, lateral bracesbetween the rails of each frame, and ties connecting the several trames, substantially as described.

+L. A tower or similar structure consisting of a skeleton frame, the uprights whereof are railroad-rails joined end to end by fish-bar splice-plates, whereby are provided continuous posts throughout the height of the structure, substantially as described. v

5. Ina tower or similar structure, the combination, with continuous uprights composedL of railroadrails,of U-shaped couplings joining the ends of said rails and cross-ties resting on said couplings, substantially kas described.

6. A tower or similar structure composed ot' a plurality of concentric frames whose up-v rights are railroad-rails, 'U -shaped couplings joining the ends of said rails, Aand Ycross-ties connecting` the couplings of the frames, substantially as described.

7. A tower or similar 'structure having its uprights composed 'of railroad-rails joined end'to end with their heads presenting outwardly and fish-bar plates connecting their abuttingends, substantially as described. Y

8. A tower or similar structure composed of railway-rails joined together end to end and laterally braced, and steel-cable guys bracing saidv structure, substantially as described.

so A. 

